If I'm understanding the "smush" correctly, it's used quite effectively on "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" where Brian becomes Jeff and then Brian again. It also might be what's happening on the BWPS "Surf's Up."

It seems to me that it's used primarily because Brian's range has diminished to the point where hitting lines like "Do-o-mi-no" alone is impossible. So I don't love it, per se, but it also doesn't bug me. If the goal is to achieve a certain sound, and the only way to do so is smushing (I think we need to come up with a more appropriate word), it's fine by me.

If I'm understanding the "smush" correctly, it's used quite effectively on "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" where Brian becomes Jeff and then Brian again. It also might be what's happening on the BWPS "Surf's Up."

It seems to me that it's used primarily because Brian's range has diminished to the point where hitting lines like "Do-o-mi-no" alone is impossible. So I don't love it, per se, but it also doesn't bug me. If the goal is to achieve a certain sound, and the only way to do so is smushing (I think we need to come up with a more appropriate word), it's fine by me.

Melding Brian's mid-range into another vocalist's high range is certainly one potential use.

But for things like the verses of TWGMTR, it's totally in Brian's range. So again, I'm not sure precisely *why* they mixed/recorded some of the "lead" vocals in that fashion. Trying to "beef up" the sound is one possibility. Trying to "fix" slightly shaky leads without resorting to autotune is another possibility. Just *liking* that sound is of course another.

I think both Brian and Al (and of course Matt, and so on) can still do good lead vocals. So my personal preference is not for the "smush" to be too prevalent.

"Surf's Up" is more of a live performance fix that made it onto record -- Brian slides into a lower harmony part while Jeff scales the high notes. It was something they worked out for concerts years before recording the album.

But "Bill and Sue" is a great example, as is the chorus to "Shelter," which seems to be either Mike, Brian, Jeff or some blend of all three.

Amen to using a different word.. I misunderstood what was being discussed and was addressing the Autotune questions and not the smush

I'm not sure whether I should be taking credit for it, nor am I sure I want to, but I may have been the first to use the "smushing" term to describe some of the TWGMTR vocals. It was my way of trying to describe the sound where the vocals are mixed in a weird way where the lead vocals are sometimes smushed together to where you can't really pinpoint one single voice singing one, single-tracked lead.

It starts with recording multiple lead vocal tracks. (Sometimes backing vocals weave through as well). I think the performance of each track, and then the combination of those tracks, combined with how they are processed, combined with how they're mixed, combined with how everything is mastered, all play a role in the end result.

I also think that the C50 band trying to replicate the sound of the studio recording of "That's Why God Made the Radio", with multiple lead vocalists, may have also contributed to why that one particular song often sounded wonky during what were otherwise amazing live shows. Most live performances during that tour of that particular song (including some TV appearances) tended to range from "okay" to "very close to going off the rails."

Amen to using a different word.. I misunderstood what was being discussed and was addressing the Autotune questions and not the smush

A few of us seem to have misunderstood just what was being discussed. Ditch the word.

Logged

“Some people think you have to knock somebody down in order to build yourself up, I don’t look at it that way. To the mentality that likes to disparage other people, I say perhaps you should get a life. It’s just wrong thinking in my opinion and I don’t mind saying that.” - Mike Love

"Every single person who criticized Brian for having She & Him, Kacey Musgraves, Sebu and Nate Ruess guesting on his solo album can now officially go heartily f*** themselves." - Wirestone

Amen to using a different word.. I misunderstood what was being discussed and was addressing the Autotune questions and not the smush

A few of us seem to have misunderstood just what was being discussed. Ditch the word.

If so, then replace it with what? IMO, "smushing" sounds good enough to become a recording industry standard term.

Doubley

Logged

“Some people think you have to knock somebody down in order to build yourself up, I don’t look at it that way. To the mentality that likes to disparage other people, I say perhaps you should get a life. It’s just wrong thinking in my opinion and I don’t mind saying that.” - Mike Love

"Every single person who criticized Brian for having She & Him, Kacey Musgraves, Sebu and Nate Ruess guesting on his solo album can now officially go heartily f*** themselves." - Wirestone

I'm not sure whether I should be taking credit for it, nor am I sure I want to, but I may have been the first to use the "smushing" term to describe some of the TWGMTR vocals. It was my way of trying to describe the sound where the vocals are mixed in a weird way where the lead vocals are sometimes smushed together to where you can't really pinpoint one single voice singing one, single-tracked lead.

It starts with recording multiple lead vocal tracks. (Sometimes backing vocals weave through as well). I think the performance of each track, and then the combination of those tracks, combined with how they are processed, combined with how they're mixed, combined with how everything is mastered, all play a role in the end result.

To me personally, the "smushing" is the main criticism I have on TWGMtR and (sometimes on) NPP. I think it's a good word to describe it. I have also heard it on BWPS, which is also the main reason I prefer the Smile Sessions over the 2004 release...

I'm not sure whether I should be taking credit for it, nor am I sure I want to, but I may have been the first to use the "smushing" term to describe some of the TWGMTR vocals. It was my way of trying to describe the sound where the vocals are mixed in a weird way where the lead vocals are sometimes smushed together to where you can't really pinpoint one single voice singing one, single-tracked lead.

It starts with recording multiple lead vocal tracks. (Sometimes backing vocals weave through as well). I think the performance of each track, and then the combination of those tracks, combined with how they are processed, combined with how they're mixed, combined with how everything is mastered, all play a role in the end result.

To me personally, the "smushing" is the main criticism I have on TWGMtR and (sometimes on) NPP. I think it's a good word to describe it. I have also heard it on BWPS, which is also the main reason I prefer the Smile Sessions over the 2004 release...

The relevant thing here is that all sorts of tricks have to be resorted to in attempts to make Brian's vocals sound half-way decent. Sometimes they do just about sound half-way decent, but not much more than that....

Lots of folks don't like the "phoniness" aspect of the BBs career, the studio over-production, the reliance on recording tricks. While a big fan, I do understand this viewpoint and can sympathize with it. I think in the long run it has contributed to the group perhaps not being taken as seriously as they should be.....

The relevant thing here is that all sorts of tricks have to be resorted to in attempts to make Brian's vocals sound half-way decent. Sometimes they do just about sound half-way decent, but not much more than that....

Lots of folks don't like the "phoniness" aspect of the BBs career, the studio over-production, the reliance on recording tricks. While a big fan, I do understand this viewpoint and can sympathize with it. I think in the long run it has contributed to the group perhaps not being taken as seriously as they should be.....

The relevant thing here is that all sorts of tricks have to be resorted to in attempts to make Brian's vocals sound half-way decent. Sometimes they do just about sound half-way decent, but not much more than that....

Lots of folks don't like the "phoniness" aspect of the BBs career, the studio over-production, the reliance on recording tricks. While a big fan, I do understand this viewpoint and can sympathize with it. I think in the long run it has contributed to the group perhaps not being taken as seriously as they should be.....

Maybe they'd be taken more seriously if we got more efforts like this:

Logged

“Some people think you have to knock somebody down in order to build yourself up, I don’t look at it that way. To the mentality that likes to disparage other people, I say perhaps you should get a life. It’s just wrong thinking in my opinion and I don’t mind saying that.” - Mike Love

"Every single person who criticized Brian for having She & Him, Kacey Musgraves, Sebu and Nate Ruess guesting on his solo album can now officially go heartily f*** themselves." - Wirestone

Only one isn’t a former perma-banned member here under a different name using a VPN to mask their original IP. When OSD gets banned he’s an adult about it and accepts the consequences. When Mikesthegreatest gets banned he just makes a new account and continues trolling.

Though I don’t agree with some of OSD’s opinions, at least his opinions are grounded in the reality that Mike has been a prick during his life and is an unlikeable person (depending on your viewpoint). Whereas those who mock Brian - I really don’t get why they’re so angsty about him. Anyone who knows him says he has a heart of gold (and his interviews nearly always reflect that).